Around the region for May 24, 2014

Published: Friday, May 23, 2014 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 23, 2014 at 7:14 p.m.

Police are looking for a man they suspect of attempting to sexually batter a woman last week in the College Park neighborhood just north of the University of Florida campus.

The woman told Gainesville Police Department officers that when she had returned to her apartment at around 1:30 a.m. on May 17, she was attacked inside the apartment by a man who tried to assault her, according to a GPD press release. The woman said she was able to fend the man off.

The woman described the man as being 20 to 30 years old, weighing 200 to 210 pounds and standing six feet to 6-foot-2. Police said the man was wearing a light-colored T-shirt and dark jeans, the release said.

The man also has a tattoo on one of his upper arms that extends below the short-sleeve level and is described as a bunch of lines, the press release said.

Police said they do not know if the man was already in the unlocked apartment or if he entered shortly after the woman did. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 393-7687 or the tip line at 393-7700.

— Monivette Cordeiro

Man hurt when stolen motorcycle crashes

Lake City police have identified the man they say crashed a motorcycle Friday morning that apparently had been stolen in Wakulla County on Thursday.

Thomas James West, 30, of Lake City, was driving the stolen motorcycle east on Southwest Baya Avenue near Southeast Ermine Street, said Lake City Police Department spokesman Craig Strickland. For reasons police do not know, West lost control of the motorcycle and crashed around 9:04 a.m.

Police and the Lake City Fire Department responded to the crash and found West conscious with visible injuries lying in the road. He was not wearing a helmet, and he did not have a valid driver’s license, a press release said.

West was transported by ambulance to Gainesville for medical treatment, and his immediate condition was not known, Strickland said.

Police later found that the black 1996 Kawasaki motorcycle which West had been driving was reported stolen out of Wakulla County on Thursday, the release said. Strickland added that West, who has a warrant in Lake County for burglary charges, will be facing charges for possession of a stolen vehicle and for driving without a valid driver’s license.

— Monivette Cordeiro

Community

Mobile clinic at Cone Park on Thursdays

Every Thursday, the University of Florida Mobile Outreach Clinic is now serving patients at the Cone Park Branch Library, 2841-A E. University Ave.

The Alachua County Library District is partnering with the UF Mobile Outreach Clinic to bring primary health care to medically underserved populations across Gainesville. The Cone Park library hosts a clinic from 1-4 p.m. Thursdays.

Services include health screenings and education, family medical services, family planning, resources and referrals provided by UF in conjunction with the College of Medicine, Alachua County Health Department, the Equal Access Clinic and the School of Physician Assistant Studies. Services are offered at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Since there are a limited number of patients that can be seen, arriving early is suggested. Check www.outreach.med.ufl.edu for schedule changes and updates.

<p><b>Police beat</b></p><p><b>GPD seeks suspect in attempted rape</b></p><p>Police are looking for a man they suspect of attempting to sexually batter a woman last week in the College Park neighborhood just north of the University of Florida campus.</p><p>The woman told Gainesville Police Department officers that when she had returned to her apartment at around 1:30 a.m. on May 17, she was attacked inside the apartment by a man who tried to assault her, according to a GPD press release. The woman said she was able to fend the man off.</p><p>The woman described the man as being 20 to 30 years old, weighing 200 to 210 pounds and standing six feet to 6-foot-2. Police said the man was wearing a light-colored T-shirt and dark jeans, the release said.</p><p>The man also has a tattoo on one of his upper arms that extends below the short-sleeve level and is described as a bunch of lines, the press release said.</p><p>Police said they do not know if the man was already in the unlocked apartment or if he entered shortly after the woman did. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 393-7687 or the tip line at 393-7700.</p><p><i>— Monivette Cordeiro</i></p><p><b>Man hurt when stolen motorcycle crashes</b></p><p>Lake City police have identified the man they say crashed a motorcycle Friday morning that apparently had been stolen in Wakulla County on Thursday.</p><p>Thomas James West, 30, of Lake City, was driving the stolen motorcycle east on Southwest Baya Avenue near Southeast Ermine Street, said Lake City Police Department spokesman Craig Strickland. For reasons police do not know, West lost control of the motorcycle and crashed around 9:04 a.m.</p><p>Police and the Lake City Fire Department responded to the crash and found West conscious with visible injuries lying in the road. He was not wearing a helmet, and he did not have a valid driver's license, a press release said.</p><p>West was transported by ambulance to Gainesville for medical treatment, and his immediate condition was not known, Strickland said.</p><p>Police later found that the black 1996 Kawasaki motorcycle which West had been driving was reported stolen out of Wakulla County on Thursday, the release said. Strickland added that West, who has a warrant in Lake County for burglary charges, will be facing charges for possession of a stolen vehicle and for driving without a valid driver's license.</p><p><i>— Monivette Cordeiro</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Community</b></p><p><b>Mobile clinic at Cone Park on Thursdays</b></p><p>Every Thursday, the University of Florida Mobile Outreach Clinic is now serving patients at the Cone Park Branch Library, 2841-A E. University Ave.</p><p>The Alachua County Library District is partnering with the UF Mobile Outreach Clinic to bring primary health care to medically underserved populations across Gainesville. The Cone Park library hosts a clinic from 1-4 p.m. Thursdays.</p><p>Services include health screenings and education, family medical services, family planning, resources and referrals provided by UF in conjunction with the College of Medicine, Alachua County Health Department, the Equal Access Clinic and the School of Physician Assistant Studies. Services are offered at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.</p><p>Since there are a limited number of patients that can be seen, arriving early is suggested. Check www.outreach.med.ufl.edu for schedule changes and updates.</p><p>Other library stops include: the Equal Access Clinic at the Tower Road Branch, 3020 SW 75th St., Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m.; and Headquarters Library, 401 E. University Ave., Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.</p><p>For more information, contact the Alachua County Library District at 334-3910.</p><p><i>— Staff report</i></p>